Q&A'It was an easy decision to join Liverpool' – Federico Chiesa's first interview in full

Published
By Sam Williams and Glenn Price

Federico Chiesa had no hesitation when the opportunity to join Liverpool arose.

The Italy forward has put the finishing touches to his transfer from Juventus by signing a long-term contract with the Reds.

Chiesa joins Arne Slot’s squad after four seasons with Juve – a period during which he won the Coppa Italia twice, the Supercoppa Italiana and, at international level, Euro 2020.

Shortly after completing a medical and taking a look around the AXA Training Centre, the 26-year-old sat down with Liverpoolfc.com to conduct his first interview as the Reds’ new No.14.

See the chat in full below.

Federico, firstly, how are you feeling now it’s done and you are a Liverpool player?

It’s been so far a great day and I’m so happy to be a Liverpool player. When Richard Hughes called me and he said, ‘Do you want to join Liverpool?’ – and the coach called me – I said yes immediately because I know the history of this club, I know what it represents to the fans. So, I’m so happy and I can’t wait to get started.

As you say, it has happened quite quickly. Was it an easy decision to make?

It was. It was for a lot of reasons because I felt immediately that the people I talked to put a lot of faith and trust in me, and that’s what I wanted. So it’s really great to be here, it’s a dream come true for me to play for Liverpool and to play in the Premier League, which is the best championship in the world.

How were those last few days for you, for your family, for your wife?

Well, we were all happy. Fortunately enough, as I said before, it was an easy decision because of Liverpool and everything. We enjoyed every bit. I still need to talk to my family because today was a really busy day. But I’m grateful because my wife is here with me and she was amazing because as soon as I said Liverpool she said, ‘Yes, I’m coming with you. It’s a fantastic opportunity for your career and for our family.’

As you say, it’s been a busy day today. What have your first impressions been since you landed in Liverpool and came to the AXA Training Centre and met some of the staff?

The people here are amazing and I felt great empathy. Already I’ve done a lot of tests but that is part of my job. And I just want to say something that stuck to my mind when I was about to land [in] the aeroplane, I saw Anfield and as soon as I saw Anfield I said to my wife, ‘Put the song on – You’ll Never Walk Alone – because I want to imagine myself playing there and hearing the chant of the fans.’ It was just a fun bit.

How do you imagine that will feel when it happens for real?

I will have shivers and it will be so emotional for me and for my family.

You mentioned you had a chance to speak with Arne Slot – what kind of things did he say to you about coming to Liverpool?

He just told me about his football style, what he wants from me, what he wants from the team. I said to him that I’m coming to help the team and to win trophies, which is the most important thing [and] it’s what the Liverpool fans want the most.

Obviously you join a squad with a lot of good attacking options – how much are you looking forward to playing with those attackers and even competing with them for a place in the team?

I mean, in Liverpool there is a lot of competition in every role because it’s a big club, it’s a top club, one of the best in the world. So I know that I was coming here with a lot of competition in my role too because in front of me there are players like [Mohamed] Salah, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, [Diogo] Jota, [Darwin] Nunez. I know what they are capable of but I know what I am capable of too. So, I’m here to give my best and to give my best to the fans too.

You’re going to take the No.14 jersey, is that a number that has any significance to you?

Yeah, it has actually. It’s the number I’ve been wearing with the national team but it was an easy pick because Liverpool sent me a video and at the end of this video – which was showing my career [and] the goals I scored with Fiorentina and Juventus – it was me with the No.14 shirt on so I said, ‘Ah, it was destined to be!’, so I chose the No.14.

Your dad Enrico played and scored at Anfield when Italy played against Czech Republic at Euro 96…

I know this goal, but he didn’t tell me it was at Anfield! Nice! He didn’t tell me about this because usually when we speak about the Euros he doesn’t want to speak about it because I say I won it and he has not won it! He talks to me about the goals he scored and that he scored more than me and that I have to reach [catch up to] him, but he hasn’t talked to me about that.

Is it a little strange seeing that your dad scored at Anfield?

Yes it is, because I didn’t know it was Anfield. We have a picture of him celebrating after he scored that goal, but honestly I didn’t know it was at Anfield so this is a great memory for my family and for my father. So, I think my father is happy for me to join Liverpool.

Has he said anything to you about the move?

He said, ‘Go!’ As soon as he heard ‘Liverpool’, he said: ‘Go! It’s the best choice for your career.’

And seeing what your dad did at Anfield, how much do you want to replicate that for Liverpool?

Yeah, it would be nice to score on my debut but I am here to enjoy my football, I am here to win trophies, I am here to help my teammates and the coach and as I said before, to give my best.

You say you are here to help and to challenge for a place, so how do you describe yourself as a player?

I describe myself as player who is very, very competitive, who wants more, and I am here because I want more for my career.

What qualities do you think you can bring to the team?

Intensity, technical qualities, one-v-ones and also I hope to score and assist because that is what an attacking player has to do.

Do you think those qualities complement the way Liverpool play?

I hope so! In future I hope so, yes, but I came here because I think I can give something.

In terms of your own fitness, where are you up to at the moment and how quickly are you looking to get started here?

As soon as the coach tells me that I can play, I will play. No problem.

And in terms of what you want to achieve now you are here – what are your goals and ambitions while you are a Liverpool player?

To win. To win trophies. As soon as I entered inside the [AXA Training] Centre and I looked up and I saw all the trophies, [I thought], ‘I want some of them in the near future.’

Seeing those trophies was a little bit of inspiration, then?

Yeah, it was. To see the Champions League and the Premier League over there, it was just amazing.

Finally, what is your message for the Liverpool supporters who are watching or reading this interview?

I’ll see you at Anfield and You’ll Never Walk Alone!

Published
By Sam Williams and Glenn Price
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